What It's Really Like Working In A Hospital Emergency Room
Start writing a post
Health Wellness

What Goes On Behind The Swinging Doors Of An ER, From Someone Wearing The Scrubs

You have seen paramedics rushing with a gurney with someone lying on it... is that really true though?

234
What Goes On Behind The Swinging Doors Of An ER, From Someone Wearing The Scrubs

This is my personal exposé on working in an emergency department and telling you if "Grey's Anatomy" is a myth or not too far from the actual truth. The blood, the running, the codes, the ambulance, the sirens, happens all the time actually and it's not just a "once in a blue moon" situation.

Every day as you get there we do what we call huddle which is gathering together and talking about the shift before and what happened in regards how many people were admitted into the hospital if it was a busy shift and as well how our staffing looks for the incoming shift. Our huddles only happen twice a day for the change of morning and night shift. Morning shift is from 7 a.m. -7 p.m. and night shift is from 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. If your shift is any time between that (i.e. 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. or 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. you report to the charge nurse) which is the nurse that will be calling the shots and placing you for the day.

In the emergency department where I report to, we have what we call pods meaning different sections of where you will be working and they are sectioned off my acuity level.

Pod 1: the most critical acuity, the place where the trauma rooms are held and where you will find the running and sweating of the staff because the location consists of our code 5 or code blue (cardiac arrest) being held.

Pod 2: half side A and half side B meaning that half of that side have just as much acuity level in pod 1 and the other half have a lower acuity level.

Pod 3: it's a combination of all three and it is opened if we need more rooms because the level of patients present is a high census.

Side C: this side is our "urgent care" side and where we see the lowest acuity of patients relating to flu, headaches, or placing splints.

Working in this department is certainly not meant for everyone but if it meant for you, you will enjoy both flaws and perks of the department. I enjoy the busy the crazy and the short-staffed days, it is tough but it gives me sort of my purpose working in the department.

You eventually see people you know in a different state in a state you don't know and that they are needing your help and it also helps you understand how to prioritize the tasks you have ahead of you and the acuity level of patients. It gives you a rush and you are always left in a state of high intensity and sense of feeling rushed.

However, just because I am able to work in such a "selfless" environment, does not mean that it is always the best. In fact, many show up with an ungrateful attitude and have cursed at us or even have tried to throw a strike they are just not oriented to comprehend.

As many tiresome days, I have worked, it does pay up. It pays because at the end of the day it pays to have helped someone and it fascinates me to learn more about the human body and how deceitful it may be to ourselves.

Is there ever crying?

Yes, either patients, family members or even staff if the situation is too close they tear up or are touched up. It's normal. We are human, but we don't let it get to us and remove ourselves if we are not able to handle it.

Scandalous relationships and secret seductive rendezvous?

Giphy

No... and maybe yes. Everything is extremely secretive but everything is also spread so thinly you eventually hear it. No people are not sleeping at the hospital. There is not even time to go to the bathroom sometimes let alone sleep at the department. It's an emergency department that is continuously short-staffed just like any other place. Sorry no Dr. McDreamy is present here with his intern that decide to meet in the on-call room. Actually, we do not have access to that it is very limited and not even sure we may have an on-call room.

I met my own Cristina Yang...

Giphy

Working 12 hours, 3 days a week and sometimes picking up over time, helps you create relationships and even the best of friendships. I can say if you choose your friends wisely and are able to have enough free time to be with one another then you can have your very own Cristina Yang. You get to have close friendships that you can both work together and bond over the EMS that you got including the two new patients you just received.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58261
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37530
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959155
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

193148
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments